And the Spirit Stick Goes to...

It is a new year and time to announce our first Spirit Stick winner for 2009!! January's winner just joined Cheer NY this past summer but has already made himself a special place in everyone's hearts.

He is kind, thoughtful, helpful, spirited, talented and has a killer smile. If you looked the words "Spirit Stick" up in the dictionary, you might just find a picture of his beaming face. So who is this wonderful person? The Spirit Stick winner for January 2009 is.........Nicholas P!!!

Read below for more (quite interesting) information about Nicholas P.

Name/Nicknames: Nicholas P, Nickie

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

Occupation: Senior Production Accountant for Wicked, the Musical
When did you join CNY: July '08
Previous cheer experience: 3 years in High School
Favorite stunt: Liberty
Favorite CNY moment: Receiving the spirit stick!!! It makes me feel like I have accomplished part of what I wanted to bring to CNY - my positive attitude and spirit. I love CNY!!!

Interesting fact about you: In 1998, I won the NGA (National Grocers Association) Best Bagger competition in Las Vegas. For the entire year, I was honored as the nation's Best Grocery Bagger. It was amazing!!!!

Congratulations Nicholas!!! You deserve it!

(Above: Nicholas at the CNY Bingo Fundraiser, On Right: Ali and Nicholas at the CNY Anniversary Dinner)

Cover of The Gay & Lesbian Times!

Rich Sweeney, a CNY Alumnus and contestant on the current Bravo hit "Top Chef - New York" was recently interviewed by The Gay & Lesbian Times and landed the cover! A former New Yorker, Rich now lives in San Diego and is the Executive Chef at Confidential Restaurant.

Check out the full article here: http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=13826

Happy Birthday Iliana!!

Today is our own Iliana's (aka Ili, Ilz, Margarita) Birthday!!! Iliana brings it all to Cheer New York. She's a wonderful base and a flier, she rocks the dances and cheers. She will always help spot your stunt or teach you any dance or cheer move. And though she has some of the smallest feet we've ever seen, she also has the biggest heart.

Happy Birthday Iliana! We love you and your tiny feet.



(Above: Iliana (on left), Heather, Kelsey & Tonika at the 2008 Anniversary Dinner, On Left: Iliana and Manny bustin' a move at the Gay Pride Parade)

E-X-P-O lets go Expo!!!

Yes you heard it! Cheer New York once again wowed audiences at this years Gay Life Expo. This year the team was in great spirits as they raised money for Haven of Hope for Kids (a country retreat for families caring for children with a life-limiting illness) and presented two expo attendees with individual prizes for their generous support.

The Expo has always been one of Cheer NY's premier events. It is also the squad's chance to recruit new members and show of their skills. Cheer NY performed various times for expo attendees and the look on their faces as stunts were thrown and dances performed was priceless. It is something you never get tired of seeing. During these these hard economic times it's nice to see a group of people putting on a show to raise money for those unfortunate and bringing smiles to those who watched. That's what we do is all about. We can definitely consider ourselves as "Ambassadors of Good Will and Spirit"! -Clay S.

(Above: Vergil, Clay and Felipe work the donation/information table. Right: Lara and Nicholas F. show off their stunting skills)

Why I Love Cheer NY...

Jen Celebrates Year Number Six!

Jennifer L, a Cheer New York flyer, celebrates her 6th year with the team this January. Jen came to the New York area in April of 2002, but it wasn't until January of 2003 that she learned of an adult cheerleading squad called Cheer New York. After learning the tryout clinics were that day, she showed up in her work clothes with an old pair of sneakers, not sure to expect. It had been a good five years since she had cheered, but after a few days of extreme soreness, she was a cheerleader once again!

Since that day Jen has witnessed many members come and go from Cheer New York, including administration and uniform changes, and she has seen this organization grow from a few to many. At one point she was one of only two women on the entire squad! She has watched the squad push itself to stunt harder and continues to be amazed by all of the charity work CNY performs.

Jen has plans to continue to cheer for as long as physically possible, which, at 33, is hopefully still far away! She feels so great about having spent the past six years with such a wonderful organization that has become a huge part of her life.

Welcome Cheer NY Newbies!!

After one of our most FUN tryouts, we are pleased to announce that the following seven recruits will be joining our Cheer New York organization and family.

(Name - Position, Gender, Height, and 2 or 3 Fun Facts about them...)

Alex B. - Base, male, 6'2", middle school teacher, step coach, amazing singer!

Cameo B. - Midbase, female, 5'6", actress, was in a beauty pageant, knows Bring It On verbatim!

David G. - Midbase, male, 5'9", ballet dancer, experienced tumbler, dances like Beyonce!

Lamont J. - Midbase, male, 5'8", choreographer, experienced tumbler, was on So You Think You Can Dance!

Luis P. - Base, male, 5'9", student (graphic artist), moved from Mexico, tumbler, has all-star background!

Marcelo D. - Base, male, 5'11", gymnastics coach, experienced tumbler, choreographer!

Stephen D. - Base, male, 5'9", accessories designer, knows Cheer for Life perfectly, great massage therapist!

Welcome newbies!! Now let the hazing begin. ;)

Happy New Year!!

It is always nice to see members of Cheer New York doing something productive with their time away from the team. Read to below to discover the unique way Maiko K. and Rick H rolled in the New Year. Way to represent CNY!

On December 31st Maiko and I ran the Midnight Run in Central Park, a New York Road Runners 4 mile race, and a great way to start the New Year. However, it was BRUTALLY cold. So during the race while we were running, Maiko and I did Cheer New York cheers to help us keep warm. After finishing a rendition of "G-O Go New York, G-O Let's Go!" a fellow runner behind us shouts out, "Is that Cheer New York??" Maiko and I looked at each other quizzically and then turned around and shouted back, "Yes, why, yes we are Cheer New York!" While Maiko was was wearing the red warm-up pants, there was nothing on us that said Cheer New York. Plus, being from the back he could not even see our faces. I guess it goes to show those cheers really are meaningful to the runners of New York! We are so famous! -Rick H.